How does the zap test detect lye (vs pH)?

[jules92207]

When I started soaping a friend taught me and I went and found the same book she had cause I didn't know any better. I just wanted to do it "right". Looking back most of the recipes I made from that book were not ideal and once I found this forum I haven't opened that book since.

 

[JayJay]

Thank you for saying that! We had a few folks this year that did not appreciate hearing the truth, and took it as a personal attack. It is good to know that we have helped someone!

You all have helped me (and protected my unsuspecting friends) by explaining process and cautioning me.

Fortunately I have grown a pretty thick skin over my lifetime. I much prefer to hear the truth from some helpful people than to be told how "easy" something is by someone who is just trying to maintain their readership. This isn't a dig at the bloggers out there, but I know that they can be pressured to keep new and exciting material for their readers. Sometimes that means writing about subjects without much expertise to back it up. It happens. Actually in this case I am glad it did happen because if she hasn't made it seem easy, I would have never tried it. Soaping is now by far my favorite hobby.

A while ago, I did some research on selling a hair product that I make for myself and my friends. One of the things that I read is that there are few things more brutal than online reviews. It's best to hear harsh realities about your product BEFORE putting it out there for others. Your friends and family will tell you that it's great, but the online reviews will point out that it smells bad, or feels unpleasant or is not worth the money etc. You can go back and make improvements but the bad impression is still out there and almost impossible to overcome. Even though I am not selling my soap, I am still thinking of it in the same way-- thanks to you all. If I had given my friend's toddler that first eczema soap recipe I devised, I could have made the poor baby's condition flair up. I am glad you all stopped me.

 

[Jstar]

Ditto to Susie's comment.

Also to add, there is ALWAYS something more to learn as I have found here, and I am honored to be in such a truly caring soaping community as this. Even tho Im 3 yrs in to my soaping now, I still value every one of the more experienced soapers guidance. If I want to know something, this is the place I know I can come and get honest answers.